Quantum computers: cyber agency wants to think differently

With its largest and most expensive project to date, the cyber agency wants to make Germany more digitally sovereign. “Sovereignty is created by trading,” explained Christian Hummert, head of the Halle-based federal agency, in an interview with the German Press Agency.

Almost 40 million euros will therefore go to three research groups to develop a mobile quantum computer.

Quantum computers can solve mathematical problems much faster than previous computers. In America, the New York IT group IBM and Google are researching such a device. According to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Chinese internet giant Alibaba and various start-ups are also building such supercomputers. “If we had such a computer, a lot would change – including in the area of cyber security,” explained Hummert.

Limited resources demand a different way of thinking

In Germany, various Fraunhofer Institutes are conducting research into quantum computing. The aim is to find out, for example, where calculations with a quantum computer are suitable in industry. The scientists are also looking at how specialist expertise in quantum computing can be brought into industry and built up.

In order to get involved in research into the development of a quantum computer, a lot of money is needed. The cyber agency doesn’t have that, says Hummert. That is why the agency is approaching the topic from a different angle. “The computers in America are being built in a data center. Huge in size. Permanently installed,” describes Hummert. Sending secret data anywhere is out of the question for the Bundeswehr, for example. “And besides, you don’t always have internet everywhere to send data just like that.”

So the research teams funded by his company are working on making quantum computers mobile. So that the huge devices could be loaded onto a ship or truck and driven to wherever they are needed.

Mobility means new solutions

One of the challenges here is that the computers need to be cooled and protected from vibration and radiation. This means finding solutions that are an alternative to ten-meter-high concrete columns and heavy lead casings. This is how the stationary supercomputers are currently protected.

According to Hummert, the aim of the cyber agency’s research is to eventually be able to replace mobile technology “made in Germany” with stationary devices. However, Fraunhofer predicts that a quantum computer will not replace the classic computer. The problems it solves are too specific for that, according to the experts.

dpa